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THE RED LAUGH 



THE RED LAUGH 



By 
GERVE BARONTI L^,^X 




THE CORNHILL COMPANY 

BOSTON 



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Copyright, 1918, by 

The CORNHIUi COMPA>fT 



€)ci.A5!):a7() 

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To my enemies and all others who love me. 



CONTENTS 

Page 

The Red Laugh 1 

The Question 2 

The Institution 3 

Chains .5 

Dawn 7 

Russia 8 

Worshipers 10 

How I Love 12 

To THE Idealist 14 

The Coward 15 

Echoes .16 

Waiting 18 

Orchids 20 

Off the Beaten Path 21 

To P. R. D 24 

Three Amulets 25 

ViCTA 28 

Triad 30 

Before a Nude 31 

Passion Flowers 32 

A Bear Fact 33 

To Natalie 34 

Dream Isles .35 

Brown Eyes 36 

The Yellow Room 37 

Good-bye, Sweet Child .... 39 



CONTENTS 



Page 

Petals 40 

The Searcher 41 

To A. C. S 45 

Morning Song 46 

The Play 47 

The Call 48 

The Storm 49 

A Voodoo Tale 52 

Awakened 5Q 

SKETCHES 

I. Earthquake 61 

II. Dawn 62 

III. Wind . . . . . .63 

IV. The Pool 64 

V. Frost 65 

VI. The Rose 66 

VII. The Seasons 67 

VIII. Calm 68 

IX. A Bouquet 69 

X. The Coming Storm .... 70 

XI. Forest Fire 71 

XII. Clouds 72 

XIII. Evening 73 

XIV. Winter Night 74 

XV. Sahara 75 



THE RED LAUGH 



THE RED LAUGH 



THE RED LAUGH 

Arch fiend of all dark worlds that be. 

Whose poisoned breath blows scorching o'er 

Fair lands of late prosperity — 
Deep irrigated now with gore. 

You call our strong, who hear the cry. 
And join your wretched, bloody play. 

A grimy rag you wave on high 
And madly lead them on the way. 

Their hearts are closed, their reason gone, 
Through reddened mist they cannot see; 

They groping, stumble wildly on 
Engaged in vile absurdity. 

You call the game, each takes his stand. 
The prizes differ with your mood. 

Some draw a leg, an arm, a hand 
Of modeled wax or clever wood. 

Move follows move, one side must flee. 
With blood-drunk lust its losses teU; 

Your mocking laugh is raised in glee, 
The sound reverberates in hell! 



THE RED LAUGH 



THE QUESTION 

The beasts are tramping o'er the World 
The maddened hordes by Mammon led — 

While from the North's snow-locked enabrace 
Reach frozen fingers begging bread — 
Where art Thou, God? 

The vine once trailed in Southern lands 
Above the graves of peaceful dead; 

But o'er it now, through crimson rain 

Stalk blood-crazed beasts that must be fed- 
Where art Thou, God? 

The eye that gazed on home-strewn plains. 
Where progress with echoing tread 

Marched proudly, holding Faith's white hand - 
Now sees her halt, to weep instead — 
Where art Thou, God? 

We can forgive this bloody game 

Played from the battlements of wrong 

If the sad hosts that follow us 

Hear clear the answer to our song — 
Where art Thou, God? 



THE RED LAUGH 



THE INSTITUTION 

I sit here 

In the great palm-trimmed room. 

At one end a fireplace 

Extends yellow and blue shoots 

To the darkness of the chimney. 

From the windows I can see 

How a landscape artist 

Has exposed his genius 

For the Institution. 

I eat good food 

And dress warmly. 

My bed is a dainty white affair 

Softly patted by women. 

I read books and play games. 

I could walk beyond the grounds — 

But I must keep my poise. 

Outside the Great Powers are busy, 

Great Statesmen who occupy 

The seats of the Mighty. 

Great Men in long black robes 

Who stand on platforms 

Gazing at open books. 

Great Men who are sweetly inconsistent. 

For they call a place of kindred spirits, hell. 

The Great Powers are busy, very busy. 

Busy conscripting conscience, 

Busy conscripting souls. 



THE RED LAUGH 



Never since this dirt-ball 
Amalgamated all its particles 
Has life upon it been so busy. 
Or so beautifully ordered. 

I sit here reading 
In the great palm-trimmed room. 
The world rushes by outside 
Bent upon its important work. 
The voices of the Great Powers 
Reach the Institution 
Only as a distant hubbub. 
For we here, are "insane" 
Thank God. 



THE RED LAUGH 



CHAINS 

The metallic dirge 

Strikes on the ear of night 

Soul-paralyzing ! 

Dreaded, mysterious, demon-wrought! 

Clank clank clank 

Rattle rattle rattle 

It sUdes and shps 

Thump thump thump 

The accompaniment of the iron ball, 

The hell-forged iron ball. 

Clank clank clank 

On goes the weird air. 

Rattle rattle rattle — 

Pause drag drag 

Drag fainter, fainter — 

Rattle rattle rattle 

Pause. 

Hollow monotonous — 

Dying away, away — 

Fainter fainter 

Drag, pause 

Ceasing. 

Rattle again, rattle — rattle 

Clank clank 

Drag 

Rattle — 

Pause — 



THE RED LAUGH 



Rattle — 
Throughout the night. 

It will cease with the dawn — 

The clanking — 

The dragging — 

The chainy death rattle — 

The metallic death rattle — 

For it is a dirge of the night. 

The night that is long. 

Dawn will bring peace, rest, liberation 
But the dawn is not yet — 
Not yet — 



THE RED LAUGH 



DAWN 

I sought the sand path 

That outlines the River. 

Fate stood beside me. 

Fate, cold as intellect 

That puts out the fire 

Of emotion 

And shivers, — stagnated. 

Together we listened while 

The pale night 

Sobbed itself to sleep. 

Then Fate said: 

What do you seek here? 

Peace, I replied. 

Then Fate said: 

Do not seek Peace in the night 

She will elude you. 

Wait; and she will tarry with you 

In the coming dawn. 



THE RED LAUGH 



RUSSIA 

A dark red rose against the snow 
With petals opening to the dawn; 

A green stalk 
Breaking Repression's soil, 
The soil that fed its seed — 
RebeUion. 
A fragrance — 
Disillusionment — 
Wafting over many lands. 



THE RED LAUGH 



When the world is rid of fooKsh creeds 
And the way is ht by Truth's bright flame 
And naught fair Progress' feet impedes — 
Then Brotherhood is more than name. 



10 THE RED LAUGH 



WORSHIPERS 

Stone upon stone 
Forms the edifice. 
Imprisoned here and there 
Between the stones 
Are patches of color. 

Fools ! You can't catch the soul-stuflF 
Of the red, green and violet 
That glowed at you first 
Across the dull nothingness. 

Inside the edifice 

The husks are waiting. 

The husks with the dead interiors, 

Waiting for the one husk 

That is placed before a ribbed object 

To evoke its turbulent life 

And disturb the calm. 

What sounds does it hold, 

The ribbed object 

Under its bone-dry ribs? 

Does it hold a sound of joy. 

Of love, of mirth, of pity, of fury. 

Of anything that is outside the edifice? 

Does it hold the sound 

Of the flowers bursting into life? 



THE RED LAUGH 11 

Does it hold the sound 
Of the trees rocking the birds to sleep? 
Does it hold the sound 
Of the forest king's warning to all lesser life? 
Does it hold the sound 
Of the winter ocean striking the wall of the 
ice-berg? 

Does it hold any sound that is real. 
Any sound that is a natural sound? 
Does it hold one note of truth? 
No: — ^Truth is outside the edifice — 
Where the husks should be ! 

One husk is standing 
Facing the others 
With its arms extended. 
Listen: with its mechanical voice 
It is consecrating all the other husks 
To God. 



12 THE RED LAUGH 



HOW I LOVE 

The wild deep-furrowed face of nature 

When her expression is tempestuous and severe, 

The wind blowing in high places, 

The mad in- rushing dash of the sea 

When it leaps fiercely to embrace the shore. 

The cold salty spray that strikes my face like a 

whip, 
The startled scream of the wild birds, 
The snarling growl of the animals — my brothers, 
The hot white heat of the noon sun. 
The dark jewelled sky of midnight. 
The free, defiant laughing cataract, 
The great first places that man has not spoiled, 
The fresh-scented earth upturned by the plough. 
The oozy, slimy mud in the bed of the brook. 
The crawling, squirming creatures who inhabit it. 

The City at night when every one is sleeping. 

The paean of the rain outside my window. 

The men who dare to be honest with women. 

The men with the gift of silence, 

All who have learned the great lesson of tolerance. 

Virtue that carries no placard. 

Vice that is stalwart, courageous, and ambitious, — 

All these I love. 

And I hate — 

The coward who links arms with regret, 



THE RED LAUGH IS 

The weakling who leans on atonement, 

The weak-kneed charity of the ultra-respectable. 

The sterilized vice of the hypocrite, 

All who obey too easily. 



14 THE RED LAUGH 



TO THE IDEALIST 

Oh, You who peace and love extol, 
Kjiow you the complex wilful soul! 

The fight to make red hate expire, 

The wish to throttle mean desire, 

The greed that comes from love of wealth. 

The chase of pleasures marring health. 

The lust that oft desires to kill. 

The leash too weak to rein in will. 

The voice that heralds others' shame. 

The trick to tarnish a fair name. 

The days that haply take the best. 

The nights that laugh at day's behest. 

The hours when life seems fashioned good. 

The moments jeering at this mood. 

The hope that when these storms are past 

The clear white light will shine at last! 



THE RED LAUGH 15 



THE COWARD 

I cannot follow where you lead, 

O man of science deep; 
At your cold feast I dare not feed. 

Because I wish to keep 
The thought of God. 

I cannot list your pregnant speech. 
Your arguments profound. 

The proven facts you hope to teach. 
For to my soul is bound 
The fear of God. 

I cannot glimpse your written page 

So radical and bold, 
These arts you've used in every age; 

Still in my heart I hold 
The love of God. 



16 THE RED LAUGH 



ECHOES 

I see a field of golden rye 
As the red sun forsakes the sky. 
The fruited heads upon their stem 
Nod as the wind blows over them. 

Southward, and to the right is seen, 
Beyond that stretch of waving green. 
The ^mpty house of ancient style. 
Of mouldering brick and rain-washed tile. 

Beneath its vines of rank decay. 
Its rust-gnawn shutters fall away. 
Old house, I worship you again. 
You were my haunted castle — then. 

Inside, but not for children's sight. 

The fairy queen once came at night. 

She brought with her a merry band 

Of all good fairies in the land. 

Throughout the night they'd dance and sing 

To instrument like violin. 

To bed we'd go to wake at dawn 

And watch them leave in early morn. 

But strange, they always stole away 

And never came to dance by day. 



THE RED LAUGH 17 

This olive shade I cannot pass, 
'Twas here I loitered in the grass 
And gazed intently at the blue 
And wondered long if God were true. 
And if one angel from the crowd 
Might fly quite low beneath a cloud. 

Yon crescent-shaped, lazy sea, 
To think of all you meant to me! 
Far down beneath your depths so green 
The mermaids' crystal home was seen. 
In cradle shells all pearly lined 
The lovely mermaid babes reclined. 
If one could dive down very deep. 
Into the palace he might creep. 
At night the sea would gently moan 
With echoes from that hidden home. 
And on the beach the goat-bells toll, 
Timed with the fisher's barcarolle. 

And now I gaze familiarly 
On this fair land and placid sea, 
Whose beauty is enhanced; and yet, 
Somehow I see them with regret. 



18 THE RED LAUGH 



WAITING - 

I saw you in that Temple old 

Lead priestly train with slow advance. 
Your hands outstretched to Merodach. 

I dared not raise to you a glance. 

When in the greatest Pharaoh's troops 
I saw your mystic face again 

You laid a siege — but to my heart — 
And took me willing captive then. 

I stiU recall the buried day 

With memory I've carried o'er. 

Our home beneath the desert palm, 
Our life upon the Theban shore. 

While Athens with the laurel crown 
Paid homage to her mighty men, 

You watched with weary, sated mien 
Your happy dancing slave-girl then. 

With the masonic Socrates, 

If virtue be but Knowledge true 

You did discuss; and failed to see 

The burning flame that leaped to you. 



THE RED LAUGH 19 

Across the Pincian Hills you gazed, 

As the immortal city passed 
With mournful dirge. Your vision cleared 

And saw your soul revealed, at last. 

To the cathedral's lofty walls 

Your shaded pane, with note of rest. 

Came to admit the only light. 

The Christ-child at his mother's breast. 

Adown the aisle the other day 

I saw your black-robed form advance 

With eyes downcast and folded hands, 
I dared not raise to you a glance — 



20 THE RED LAUGH 



ORCHIDS 

On an amber couch near a star-dust shore 

A nymph of the night recUnes. 
She is frail as the kiss of waning love 

For only the pale moon shines, 

On that fairy isle in an opal sea 

Where dreams take their wings for flight, 
To carry a message to earth-tired souls 

Thru the purple veil of night. 

The nymph of the night on the amber couch 
Has fashioned with delicate grace, 

A beautiful gift for our waking hours 
Of the god's rare mauve and lace. 

And perfume the pale moon-beams distill 

Into petals cupped to hold, — 
And just the tiniest, tiniest pinch 

From a casket of powdered gold. 

The gift is borne on the wings of a dream 

And left in some green bower 
With the name that the nymph has given it • 

The lavender orchid flower. 



THE RED LAUGH 21 



OFF THE BEATEN PATH 

I see an old forest of spruces 
With pathways that wmd to the west 

And mantle of silence that's heavy 
With secrets it's never confessed. 

The long branches entwine and lace there 

In shady green tunnels that run 
To shining expanse of gold beach-sand 

Where streamers reach down from the sun. 

Thru arching green roofs of the tunnels 
Bright patches of blue show above, 

Against which spruce needles are etching 
Designs that the forest -folk love. 

The floors of the tunnels are covered 
With carpets the spruces have thrown 

And borders of dwarf -growth, and rock-strewn. 
With soft moss and lichen o'ergrown. 

Long slender brooks murmur and gurgle 

With every new ripple, a note 
Like low moon-light chant of the wood-nymphs 

Crooned softly from some fairy boat. 



22 THE RED LAUGH 

White foam floats along on their surface 
Caught by eddies' dance in a whirl 

Where furled leaves from bushes have fallen. 
And wet by the brooks, they unfurl. 

Beside dark pools green-filmed and stagnant 

The spotted snake coils undisturbed. 
For in this old forest, enchanted 
Life reigns unmolested, uncurbed. 

The fern-prisoned bushes have gathered 
Into clumps, low-tangled, that mark 

The homes of the silent, furred creatures 
Whose eyes are green fire thru the dark. 

In op'ning where sunlight is playing 

Or seeking a cool bed to rest. 
The brown ants have gathered in numbers 

And builded themselves there, a nest. 

Above, soar bright birds of all colors; 

You will know by wings' lazy flap 
And indolent manner of watching 

They've never known rifle nor trap. 

Where forest has fastened and held close 
Stray ribbons the warm sunshine flings. 

You will see brilliant dashes of color 
And the glint of gold butterfly wings. 



THE RED LAUGH 23 

A breeze hurries thru in the evening 

Lamenting in sad monotone — 
With dirge of some weird, plaintive measure 

That's known to the forest alone. 

When darkness halts near to the border 
Of the wood, and drives hght away. 

The forest-folk meet and hold council, 
For night's much the same as the day. 



24 THE RED LAUGH 



TO P. R. D. 

The velvet beds where brooks may sleep 

Of soft moss-cushioned green 
Leaf -shadowed by caressing trees 

Where light streaks in between — 
The shower of golden sunbeams 

Transfiguring the earth 
From rosy-petaled evening clouds 

Where tiny stars have birth — 
The veil which Hypnos flings about 

To dusk the poppy night 
The twilight's purple mystery 

Before the moon sheds light — 
All speak to me of you! 



THE RED LAUGH 25 



THREE AMULETS 

And a tale is told by the desert men 
Of a certain Sheik who came once again. 

With luminous eyes and bold, 
How he brought the gift, one amulet more. 
And away to his desert home he bore 

The creature of white and gold. 

She sat gazing out on the burning sand. 
And dreamed of a Sheik in that pagan land, 

Who'd call at the edge of night, 
With his final gift, an amulet rare, 
And ask for the maid with the sunny hair 

Whom he meant to purchase right. 

Two gifts he had left with never a word 
And if she accepted — then with the third 

He would claim the maiden's hand; 
And bear her away to his tribal place 
As chief of his wives for a certain space 

In that languid, sun-washed land. 

The tale is as old as the desert clan: 
How the wooing is done by the Arab man 

When he offers gifts, just three. 
In silence: and then with a haughty mien 
He later returns to take his queen 

With the tribe formality. 



26 THE RED LAUGH 

She looked at the amulets — Horus' eyes, 
And she thought of her child's brief paradise 

With those other eyes of fire. 
She thought of her home, of her early life. 
The struggles and cares and maddening strife. 

And then of her heart's desire — 

She thought of that step with compelling fate 
Just off to the left of the path that's straight. 

Taken bhndly long ago. 
Life's flame had smouldered and flickered since 

then 
With each futile attempt to place again 

New hopes on its fading glow. 

And she thought of a home beyond the sea 
Far from the expressions of sympathy 

That accused, while proff'ring cheer. 
For friends who would welcome, and never know 
That an aching soul was transplanted to grow 

Away from a constant fear. 

The shadows were length'ning along the sand 
That prelude the night in that mystic land. 

The west was a crimson flame — 
When out of the twilight as twice before 
In dusty haste to her flower-trimmed door 

A lone Arab rider came. 



THE RED LAUGH 87 

And the tale is told by the desert men 
Of a certain Sheik who came once again, 

With luminous eyes and bold. 
How he brought the gift, one amulet more. 
And away to his desert home he bore 

The creature of white and gold. 



28 THE RED LAUGH 



VICTA 

Your arm curved like the young crescent moon 

Thrills my neck. Your arm faintly amber 

Like the young moon in the low sapphire sky 

Of budding night. 

I turn my head and see 

Two points of steel-blue flame — your eyes. 

They have borrowed the light from desire-born 

suns, 
From old moons of blazing splendor. 
Moons that looked on lawless loves, and wine-dark 

revels 
When the world was young. 
They have borrowed the full tide of cosmic pain, 
The white veiled, nebulous fire, 
The heat-drenched passion 
From the heart of a star. 
They have borrowed all — all — all. 
The world has paused to dream. 
Long curling waves caress a beach — somewhere: 
Waves steel-blue — foam-trimmed. 
The fragrance of many flowers 
Unites 

And pours over me. 

The gentle fingers of the rain tap at the casement 
A deathless melody — 
A low dirge for the death of the god. 



THE RED LAUGH 29 



The god who blesses you, in passing. 
* * * 

A faint breeze rustles the curtain. 
Departing light checkers the wall. 
The world moves on again, 
Exultant. 



so THE RED LAUGH 



TRIAD 

Oh send me Pain, if it must be 
On torture's scroll my eyes shall see 

The story written there. 
My troubled soul still striving gropes 
Its way through darkness — seeking Hope' 

Answer to the prayer. 

Oh send me Love — if pain it be, 
If heartache and uncertainty 

Are fuel for the fire. 
Oh drain my life — 'tis not in vain 
If joy but faintly tinge the pain 

When this is Love's desire. 

Oh send me Death that I may see 
The beauty in the mystery 

When beaten hope has fled. 
For only light from flame divine 
Can feed this famished soul of mine 

When fire-bred love lies dead. 



THE RED LAUGH 31 



BEFORE A NUDE 

Rare skill hath drawn o'er hidden fires, 
And made this wondrous form to glow. 

So deftly clothed, it peace inspires. 
Yes, nude thou art, but naked — no! 



THE RED LAUGH 



PASSION FLOWERS 

Sweet passion jflowers at my feet in the grass. 
By the amorous south wind fanned, 

Your fragrance is wafted to me as I pass, 
Why take you to die in my hand? 

Fair earth-stars designed by a Hand which is sure. 

You beckon; are we to contemn? 
Your roots are concealed —more the colors allure. 

Sweet blossoms — just die on the stem! 



THE RED LAUGH 33 



A BEAR FACT 

Suggested by Georges Musaphia's Painting of Nude and Bear 

On a planet of topaz and crystal, 
Where ice-elves and fairies abound, 

Where suns' rays are filtered through gossamer. 
The girl of my dreams I have found. 

She bewilders, entices and beckons, 

I watch her enraptured, soul-freed, 
While the amber light's gentle caresses 

Race round her soft hmbs and recede. 

The ambrosial hills' matchless beauty 
Brushed o'er by her flame-colored hair. 

Is a feast for the gods' delectation. 
And only enjoyed by a bear. 



34 THE RED LAUGH 



TO NATALIE 

Sweet maiden with the long deep eyes, 
How came you with us now? 
We see those eyes in Nephthys' face 
Below the narrow brow. 



THE RED LAUGH 35 



DREAM ISLES 

They are not found near coral reefs. 

Nor in far polar seas, 
Those magic isles the spirit knows. 

Those isles the spirit sees. 

No chart can show the waking eye. 

Nor to the mind unfold 
Where dark green waters gently lave 

Those shores of gleaming gold. 

No wandering breeze can bring to us 
The brilliant bird's soft note, 

That, to the spectre of a palm, 
Breathes from its mellow throat. 



36 THE RED LAUGH 



BROWN EYES 

Sweet eyes of brown, 
Dear eyes that saw the temple built 
And watched the pyramids arise 

Were just such eyes. 

Sweet eyes of brown, 
Blest eyes that from the manger gazed, 
With ardent fire of high emprise, 

Were just such eyes. 

Sweet eyes of brown. 
Faith's eyes that knew the marble cold 
Could glow with life so magic-wise, 

Were just such eyes. 

Sweet eyes of brown, 
Hope's eyes that looked while canvas dim 
Took color for our late surprise, 

Were just such eyes. 

Sweet eyes of brown. 
Love's eyes the soul is leaning through 
To catch the hght as mine replies, 

Are just such eyes. 



THE RED LAUGH 37 



THE YELLOW ROOM 

I stand here alone 

Beneath her window. 

The wind scarcely breathes. 

The youthful spring sky 

Seems expressionless. 

Oh, for something to match my suffering! 

I followed Death 
Into the yellow room. 
I was too late. 

How this Spring landscape tortures, 
Serene and immature, 
As an unfolded bud. 

Oh, that yellow room ! 

Pale jonquil-studded horror! 

Pale yellow everywhere; 

The walls, the floor, the hangings. 

The window-panes 

That caught the reflection 

Of the distant sun; 

The high draped bed 

That held the body, — 

Once the restless vehicle 

Of her will. 



38 THE RED LAUGH 

And I followed Death 
Into the yellow room, 
But I was too late. 

Oh, why did she not wait ! 
I would have told her 
Another way. 
Oh why, why, why 
Did she not wait! 
Poor pale yellow soul. 
Oh why did she not wait! 
I would have told her 
Another way. 



THE RED LAUGH 39 



GOOD-BYE, SWEET CHILD 

The jonquil gave her golden glint 

To gUd your silken hair, 
The purple iris, for your eyes 

Bequeathed her color rare. 
The lily on your velvet cheek 

Her petal white uncurled, 
Sweet flow'r, you were too fair to bloom 

In the garden of the world. 



40 THE RED LAUGH 



PETALS 

We crush the petals in our hands. 

Those of the vivid hue, 
For fields are green, and Ufe is young. 

Behold, the sky is blue! 

The petals flutter from our hands. 
So brown and sere they fall; 

For fields are bare and sky o'ercast. 
Just withered petals, — all. 



THE RED LAUGH 41 



THE SEARCHER 

The old man knelt on the sand 

Before a pile of debris 

At which he clawed with wasted fingers. 

He was bent with the sorrows of many winters. 

On his wrists were the marks 

Left by the old manacles. 

But in his eyes shone the light of emancipation. 

He was very old — this searcher. 

Diligently and faithfully. 

He removed piece after piece, 

From the pile of debris. 

He examined each piece 

Before tossing it aside. 

When the last piece ' 

Had been removed from the pile. 

His eager eyes sought the sand beneath 

Which he pushed restlessly from side to side. 

Then taking into his hands 

Portions of the sand. 

He watched it slip through his fingers, 

And return to the pile. 

Long hours he kept to his task, 

For he knew that he would find them — 

The gems he sought. 



42 THE RED LAUGH 

Others had passed the pile of debris, 

And had kicked it gently, very gently. 

With the slight force 

That does not loosen — 

They had not stooped to examine, 

For into their eyes had not yet come 

The light of emancipation. 

From their hands had not yet fallen 

The manacles. 

The old searcher thought of the others. 

As he watched the sand 

Slip through his fingers. 

And he laughed sadly; 

And the sound was like the wind 

Blowing through hoUow caves. 

The twilight was creeping up behind him 
Slbwly; with noiseless tread. 
Soon it would be too dark 
To search in the sand. 

Then presently he felt the rough edges 

Of that which he sought, 

And knew it was a jewel. 

There must be other jewels. 

But it was now very dark. 

And he must wait for the hght 

Of another day. 



THE RED LAUGH 43 

Slowly and stiflBy he rose 
From his kneehng posture. 
He glanced at the pieces of debris 
Which he had thrown to one side 
As he uncovered the sand beneath 
Where the treasure was hidden. 

The others would pass in the morning. 

Would they see — dared he hope.? 

If only they would see — the others. 

But into their eyes 

Had not yet come 

The light of emancipation. 

From their hands had not yet fallen 

The manacles. 

He laughed again, 

That old hollow, broken laugh. 

A laugh that was the wailing echo 

Of all the misery in the world — 

A laugh far sadder than any tears — 

Tears might fall later — perhaps 

The bruised pearls of a benediction. 

Darkness was all about him. 

He turned and walked away 

From the scattered debris 

That made ghostly pictures 

In the gathering shadows. 

On he walked, thinking always of the others. 



THE RED LAUGH 



On past the old swamp 
Where grew the beautiful purple lilies. 
That carried their roots far down 
Into the dark, damp earth. 



THE RED LAUGH 45 



TO A. C. S. 

Oh thine eyes that saw the beauties. 
In the regions, where the soul. 

Flashing through the nights of darkness 
Found the daybreak of the whole! 

Oh thine ears so loved by nature. 
That her poignant hands did seek. 

Soft to brush with magic fingers. 
Tin they heard the flowers speak. 

Oh thy hps that meekly opened 

For thy hidden song to flee 
And enrich the world forever, 

As it voiced the Christ in thee! 



46 THE RED LAUGH 



MORNING SONG 

Stretched 'neath a tree on thy moss-trimmed 

mantle, 
Watching the sun come out of the sea, 
Feehng thy deep heart beneath mine throbbing. 
Mother, I come to thee. 

Listening the leaves' low gentle humming 
Attuned to the wind's rare melody 
Taken from over the mystic border — 
Mother, to sing to thee. 

Violet, yellow, and crimson blossoms 
Have massed themselves in thy soft green hair; 
And dew has emptied her jewel casket — 
Mother, oh thou art fair! 



THE RED LAUGH 47 



THE PLAY 

First Shade — Are you going in to see the play? 

Second Shade — Yes, wait while I check my soul. 

First Shade — I will keep mine. 

Second Shade — You won't need it. 

First Shade — Do you know the playwright.? 

Second Shade — Yes, he is late of the earth. 

First Shade — What is the piece, comedy or 

tragedy? 
Second Shade — Travesty. 
First Shade —And he calls it — 
Second Shade — Love. 



48 THE RED LAUGH 



THE CALL 

The helpless are calling to me. 
Their voices are raised in despair. 
Their hands are extended in anguish. 
I must pass on. 

The hopeful are singing to me. 
Their voices are raised in gladness. 
Their hands are extended in blessings. 
I can pass on. 

I hear the call of the helpless. 
O God, allow me to linger! 



THE RED LAUGH 49 



THE STORM 

Tis storm and tempest within the deep. 

The raging seas beat a fiercely rhythmic and 
throated music. 

No moment's calm assuages their torrential to- 
and-fro. 

Across uncharted space roll laboring waters keep- 
ing time with wandering winds. 

Their pilot is a fleet of waves shaped like a mighty 
myriad-branched tree stretched on the 
face of the deep. 

As the pilot hews onward through the rocking 
breakers 

Vapors from rebellious waters mount the silence- 
pinnacled firmament and challenge the 
languid loneliness of space. 

Then as they rise higher some are choked by 
frigid currents. 

In panicky fright the clouds retreat on a long 
swift incline, 

"Led by the enskied jewels of the night, 

The galaxy of moon and stars. " 

When a vanguard of clouds rejoin their rightful 
element. 

The happy waters dance in the light of the skies. 

Adown the cataract of the air the rear-guard 
hurries in might-restrained chase. 

For the enlivening communion of sea and cloud. 



50 THE RED LAUGH 

The fruit of their union is turbulent unrest. 
The thriU of which each passes to the other. 
Until the branches of the piloting tree moan with 

rebellion against the even tenor of their 

movement. 
Each spire of cloud and wave of water 
Conmaunicates to the other the meaning of that 

unrest, which from itself it withholds. 
And now the mighty heart of the earth vibrates 
And the dark depths convulse with the terror of 

the Arch-destroyer. 
"We will shake and break the earth and sky- 
barriers 
That God has imposed on us 
When in a moment of f orgetfulness 
We winked away our vigil. " 
So shouted the outlying waters; 
And in a shrill tone the branches of the moving 

tree whistled an answer. 
"We will break the barriers which Man, the 

haughty, earthly-heavenly child, has 

been allowed to fashion. 
He has spanned us in a bondage of bridges, 
And now in his unsated pride 
He plans to draw from us each atom of energy 
As he has drawn from his Mother Earth. " 

With one huge effort. 

Echoing through the frame of the universe. 



THE RED LAUGH 51 

The trunk of the tree forced the unruly branches 

to be silent 
And to smite into silence the grumbhng voices. 
And the sea was covered with foam caused by the 

haste of the vanquished. 

Then through vast space was audible a majestic 
voice: 

Man is heart of my heart and life of my life. 
He has assisted the melting of my sculptured 

icebergs. 
My own architectured pyramids. 
He has changed the course of my rivers. 
He has made the earth to articulate with seething 

life and triumphant labor, 
The earth, that branch, which in a cosmic catas- 

trophy was torn from my body. 

It is I who urge him now to bridle the seas. 

To harness the winds. 

To scale space. 

To reclaim my lost planets. 

He hves for me, and I hve in him. 



52 THE RED LAUG H 



A VOODOO TALE 

I awake in the night. 

Startled by someone leaving my tent; 

Someone who has just drawn a hard black hand 

Across my chest; 

To cast over me a spell 

And make me conform to her wishes. 

I wear a watch on my wrist; 

The watch which belongs to the black woman. 

Beseechingly, imploringly, 

She askeid me to wear it. 

Into her eyes that day 

Crept the stare which the serpent 

Fastens on the bird. 

I, like the bird, knew there was no escape. 

I extended my arm. 

Brown from the hot sun. 

Tan-whipped by the wind; 

An arm little lighter now 

Than the arm of the black woman. 

Slowly, weirdly, she uttered something 

With her snake eyes fixed on the sky. 

And slipped the watch down 

Over my fingers. 

It is a delicate thing. 

Fashioned for vanity. 

A child might remove it. 

But I cannot. 



THE RED LAUGH 53 

The eyes of the black woman 

Seek my wrist always. 

If the watch should be missing — 

She cooks my food 

Daintily, almost lovingly; 

Using much time 

In its preparation — 

A few grains of the white powder 

Added to some dish 

And the watch would be slipped from my wrist 

And buried. 

Buried with rite and incantation. 

Once again the snake eyes 

Would seek the sky. 

This time in thankfulness 

For casting out one who knew. 

One who knew the snake dance; 

One who knew the hell-curse; 

One who knew the hiding-place 

Of the white powder. 

One who knew the handstroke 

Hell-guided at midnight. 

Three times across the chest 

And once downward. 

I wear the watch and I smile 

She thinks she has charmed me — 

Soon I shall leave, my work 

Is nearly completed — 

I must wear the watch 



54 THE RED LAUGH 

When I leave, 
And always hereafter; 
Then she can control me. 
No matter the distance. 

The watch burns my wrist — 

Its metal is eating into my flesh. 

Its hands are the fangs of a snake. 

Black, slender and deadly. 

Its numbers are disease-thrown spots 

On a white surface. 

After I leave I shall bury it 
Near some forgotten swamp 
At midnight. 



THE RED LAUGH 55 



The pulse in the wrist of Pleasure 
That cadenced its lively beat 

Is silenced:— now in the quiet 
The soul and the senses meet. 



56 THE RED LAUGH 



AWAKENED 

I stood in the outer space 
Just beyond the threshold. 
The sun held back the light, — 
Only the moon shone mistily. 
There, to the lament of chaos, 
I added my tears. 

A song reached me from beyond, 
With echoes of sweet offering. 
A breeze wafted the kiss 
Of the sim-warmed 
Swaying wind-flowers. 

I reached my hands 

To release, and music, and sunshine. 

One step to the threshold — and over 

To life, to hope and to freedom! 

But the sun held back the light. 

And only the moon shone 

Mistily. 

Love, the hght is falling around me 

That dawn paints 

On the face of the Ocean. 

The step to the threshold is lighted. 

The step to the threshold — and over 



THE RED LAUGH 67 

Where the sun-warmed 

Swaying wind-flowers 

Nod to the voice of the River. 

Love, I awake, I awake; 

And to life, to hope, and to freedom 

I add the birth of my laughter. 



SKETCHES 



SKETCHES 



Old earth reels and sways 
And wheels and whirls 
To the mirth-mad time: 
For in the nether spaces 
The blue flame roars and 
The music of the dance. 



61 



62 THE RED LAUGH 



n 



The moon's gold has changed 

To palest silver, 

A stretch of smoky amber 

Flings itself 

Along the east. 

Fresh morning breeze 

Hurries from the hills 

To strip the night garment 

From the drowsy sea. 

The trees have turned their heads 

To watch the sun get up. 

The amber stretch 

Is now a field of gold 

Grown over 

With great fleecy flowers. 

The waves have put white ruffles on 

And dance along the beach. 



THE RED LAUGH 



ni 

The snow and rain 

Caress and soothe. 

But the wind 

Saddens, — 

It is the deep rumbling 

Earth-echo 

Of all the gods' despair. 



64 THE RED LAUGH 



IV 

Dear Kttle pool 
Left when the rain retired; 
How gently the old apple tree 
Showers on you scented snow; 
You are so small, and yet, 
You hold the moon and stars. 



THE RED LAUGH 65 



See the landscape 
Done in crystal! 
Nature holds 
A palette strewn 
With diamond dust 
While she paints 
Fairyland. 



6« THE RED LAUGH 



VI 



Sweet white rose sprinkled with the dew. 
How well you play your part! 

For who would dream on seeing you 
That canker eats your heart? 



THE RED LAUGH 67 



VII 

How lovely these trees are / 

At all times. 

In the Winter 

When they stretch their nude arms to 

Heaven 
Like daring wantons, 

And beg the frost-king for his crystal jewels. 
In the Spring, 

Clothed in the first green dress 
So faintly perfumed 
And trimmed with buds. 
Later when the Summer guests arrive 
And all is music and merry-making. 
How lovely then 

In their costume of firmer texture 
And deeper dye. 
But in the Fall, 
Arrayed in red and gold 
And spangled with ripened fruit 
Like giant rubies, 
'Tis then that Heaven 
Throws between ItseK and them, 
That smoky, hazy Autumn veil 
Lest their beauty be too dazzling. 



68 THE RED LAUGH 



vin 

Beneath the low, dark clouds 

The sea is angry. 

It roars in frenzy; 

Raging billows 

Lash the defenseless beach. 

Not a sail is seen. 

None could hve. 

Far out 

One rock stands firm 

Amidst the tumult. 

It looks Heavenward 

And awaits the later victory 

The reward of calm. 



THE RED LAUGH 



IX 

How beautifully this field 

Wears these daisies! 

Nature's lovely selection 

For a brown and green costume. 

The birds and butterflies 

Pause here 

Lost in admiration, 

While the gentle south wind 

Plays with the white and gold 

Bouquet. 



70 THE RED LAUGH 



Hear the rumble 

Of Heaven's drum! 

The wind has paused to listen. 

Winding down the valley 

The green cascade 

Of silent trees 

Awaits the battle. 

The snowy billows 

Of the distant mountain range 

Hurl themselves on a purple sea. 

Nearer somids the drum. 

The apprehensive wind 

Begins to grieve, 

The green cascade 

Sways and groans. 

The coming torch 

Flashes at intervals 

Against the inky blackness. 

The drum sounds nearer, nearer 

Hear its dreaded challenge 

So faintly answered 

By the frightened hills ! 

How puny seems Earth's wrath 

When Heaven is angry! 



THE RED LAUGH 71 



XI 



A dense, dark pall drapes the Autumn sky 

In premature mourning; 

Below on Earth's charred altar 

Piny incense is placed 

As a last sad rite 

By the passing forest. 



72 THE RED LAUGH 



xn 

What pictures! 
Giant birds 
With wings of 
Burnished copper, 
Smiling women 
Waving filmy veils, 
Ruined castles. 
Dense forests, 
Snow-clothed mountains, 
Oceans of indigo 
And deepest green. 
All seen through the rain 
Of golden sun-TDeams 
This evening. 



THE RED LAUGH 73 



xni 

Twilight trails her purple veil 

Across the valley city. 

From behind a distant mountain 

The sun waves a last 

Good-night, 

The gentle sighing whispers 

Of pines' far-reaching heads 

Meet and mingle 

With voices of the undergrowth. 

The sky has donned her evening dress, 

And fastens on her jewels 

One by one. 

From somewhere in the forest's heart 

A lone night bird 

Speeds departing day. 



74 THE RED LAUGH 



XIV 

crystal-studded winter night, 

Thou'st tranced my mind in vague delight. 

1 wonder if all things as rare, 

As marvelously bright and fair. 
Would prove on near approach to be 
As hard and cold and chaste as thee! 



THE RED LAUGH 76 



XV 



Thou brazen, glittering wanton of the world, 
Flinging at length thy nude sensuous body- 
Under the full white staring gaze of the sun, — 

Thy Paramour; 
Thou disdainest the green garment of grass or 

plant. 
Thou refusest to drink of the cool singing streams. 
Thou parched, defiant, mysterious, beauty, — 

Sahara ! 



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